Damminger, of West Deptford, was honored with the title Thursday by the New Jersey Conference of Mayors for his work on the local freeholder board to regionalize services like 9-1-1 dispatch, emergency medical services, county-wide tax assessing, and storm water management. By regionalizing those services, the county has saved municipalities a combined $24 million — a savings of 18 cents on the local tax rate.

"I am very flattered to have been chosen by the mayors as Freeholder of the Year," Damminger said in a statement last week. "We live in an age where all governments must pull together and knock down imaginary boundaries to deliver the best services to our taxpayers at the lowest possible cost."

This year the Gloucester County Freeholder Board adopted a budget that represents $3.2 million in spending cuts and a $4.1 million cut to the tax levy.

"I'm very proud of Gloucester County. We do things with an eye to the future," Damminger added. "we utilize a five-year budget plan and six-year capital expense plan so that we are prepared for almost any situation."